Speaker Forum / Districtwide Safety Plan Public Hearing / Superintendent's Update | August 11, 2026

The Rochester City School District Board of Education held a public meeting on August 11, 2026, which included a speaker forum, a public hearing on the districtwide safety plan for 2026-27, and a superintendent update. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the district's contract with the Rochester Police Department (RPD) for police presence during student arrivals, dismissals, and sporting events. Community members, students, and staff voiced strong opposition to police presence in schools, citing concerns about safety, the school-to-prison pipeline, and the desire for increased investment in counselors, social workers, and restorative practices instead. The administration presented four options for supplemental safety coverage, recommending a targeted RPD presence during arrival and dismissal periods as a one-year approach due to the limited time before school starts and the complexity of procuring alternatives through an RFP process. Board members expressed concerns about the lack of comprehensive data supporting police presence and emphasized the need for community-based, restorative safety solutions. No vote was taken on the recommendation, and the board committed to ongoing review and bimonthly updates on safety planning. The meeting also included public comments on other district issues such as teacher certification, payroll concerns, and program transitions.